What does Mark 2:1 mean?
After traveling and healing throughout Galilee, Jesus and His current disciples—Andrew, Simon Peter, James, and John—return to Capernaum. It's unclear what exactly "after some days" refers to. It could be that Jesus' tour around Galilee only took a few days. This phrase might mean it took a few days for the Capernaum residents to realize He'd returned. It's also unclear to whose home Jesus has returned, but most scholars suggest it is Andrew and Peter's. Matthew 4:12–13 says after John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus left Nazareth and lived in Capernaum. John 2:12 suggests that Mary and Jesus' siblings were not residents of Capernaum, although they stayed there for a while. When these family members later confront Jesus, it apparently happens in Capernaum (Mark 3:31–35).Capernaum is where Jesus had healed Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:30–31) as well as many other sick and injured from the region (Mark 1:32–34). This is also the place from where Jesus had escaped to go into the wilderness to pray (Mark 1:35–37). The house in Capernaum becomes the headquarters of His ministry, which is consistent with what He will later tell His disciples (Mark 6:7–13).
This choice by Jesus raises a point worth considering: when traveling for ministry we may wish to ease the burden placed on a single host family, by instead moving around. At the same time, Jesus teaches that it is important to have a place that acts as home. The idea of hospitality is important in the culture and in the Bible. The book of 3 John is devoted to the idea, and Hebrews 13:2 says that gracious hosts may entertain angels without knowing it. Abraham's guests included not only angels but the LORD Himself (Genesis 18:1–8).
Jesus' stay, however, will not be particularly peaceful. His arrival is announced in a city that had already inundated Him with requests for healing and promises to do so again. This time, Jesus will use the opportunity to demonstrate that His power and authority not only heals bodies, but a sinful man's relationship with God.
Mark 2:1–12 records the first of five stories from the gospel of Mark which establish Jesus' claims to various spheres of authority. Jesus returns to Capernaum from His tour of Galilee, and the crowds regather. Here, Jesus declares that He has the power to forgive sins. A paralyzed man is brought into the crowded room through the roof. In response to the man's faith, Jesus declares his sins to be forgiven. When challenged by the scribes, Jesus proves His authority to forgive sins by healing the man. This event is also recorded in Matthew 9:2–8 and Luke 5:17–26.
Mark chapter 2 follows the typical style of Mark's gospel with a rapid succession of stories. Jesus heals a man who cannot walk, but only after declaring the man's sins to have been forgiven. Jesus then calls Levi, one of the publically-reviled tax collectors, as a disciple and is seen eating with those the Pharisees view as ''sinners.'' Jesus then answers a challenge about fasting and defends His disciples when they violate the Pharisees' views on keeping the Sabbath. All of these events are met with some resistance from Jesus' critics. He responds in each case with a spiritual, reasonable defense.
